Assessing the Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Global Prevalence of Imposter Syndrome Among Family Physicians

Imposter Syndrome (IS) is a psychological phenomenon wherein individuals, despite external achievements, internalize feelings of inadequacy and perceive themselves as fraudulent. This sense of fraudulence is often exacerbated in high-stress professions like medicine, particularly among family physicians who frequently encounter burnout—a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress. In response to this pressing issue, researchers have turned to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a potential solution. CBT is a widely-used therapeutic approach that focuses on restructuring maladaptive thoughts and behaviors, making it effective in treating various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. To assess the efficacy of CBT in combating IS among family physicians globally, numerous CBT interventions were scrutinized, considering factors such as therapy mode, duration, session frequency, and provider expertise. Homogeneity among these interventions was evaluated through statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and two-sample z-tests at a 95% confidence level. The resulting combined confidence interval ranged from [-5.48, -1.61], indicating a significant positive impact of CBT on reducing IS. Individual intervals for specific studies further supported this conclusion, with none capturing the numerical value of 0, signifying improvement favoring the CBT intervention group. These findings underscore the potential of CBT as a precise and effective tool in alleviating IS among family physicians globally. By addressing this psychological barrier, CBT not only improves physician well-being but also holds promise in mitigating the widespread shortage of physicians, thus contributing to a brighter future for the healthcare industry entirely.